A confidential report, supervised by the US Central Intelligence Agency, warned of violent actions by potential sympathizers with the ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. The report, prepared by psychologists and sociologists in the CIA’s center of studies and research information agency, stresses the danger, and affirms that about 40% of Egyptians still sympathize with Mubarak and his relatives. The report describes the president’s supporters as suffering from “Stockholm Syndrome”.

Egyptians diagnosed with the psychological illness, still feel loyal to their president, and follow his trial with anxiety as they feel that the end of Mubarak’s era means a consequential and inevitable end for them too. As such, this social class will not hesitate to resort to force.

The report also pointed out that a number of junior state officers, as well as some representatives of the Egyptian National Safety, have translated their loyalty to President Hosni Mubarak, during the first trial’s sessions, through behaviors reflecting respect and appreciation, including saluting the symbols of the former regime. This has led the government to issue a special decree through which it affirms that Mubarak and his companions are nothing but ordinary citizens subject to a trial, and should not be treated differently from others inside the dock.

“Stockholm Syndrome” is a term used for individuals sympathizing with criminals who have caused their oppression. This came after a famous incident that took place in the Swedish capital of Stockholm in 1973, when an armed gang hijacked a bank and took its staff as hostages for 6 days, before releasing them. The hostages showed respect to their captors and defended them.

Psychologists confirm that this is due to a human attachment of the victim to their offender, because of nice behavior by the latter that reveals a positive personality. Moreover, the detainees are wary of any attempt to rescue them, which would threaten their lives, causing them to cling to their captors even after they’re released. (Source: www.yallafinance.com)